KACARE to construct five solar plants in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia-based King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE) is planning to build solar power plants in five provinces by the end of 2015.

KACARE has received a request from the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) to set up the plants in Qaisumah, Rafha, Wadi Al-Duwasir, Mahd Al-Dhahab, and Shororah.

As reported in Saudi Gazette, KACARE has also been allotted the required lands for the projects, and it will commence receiving bids for the construction of the stations, starting with the facility at Mahd Al-Dahab.

The news agency quoted a KACARE source as saying: “KACARE has conducted detailed studies for the integration of renewable energy electricity generating power stations with SEC network to ensure the continuity of power supply, and the experiment will be applies to other cities as needed by SEC.”

KACARE plans to enter into the power production field by providing alternative energy sources in the country.

Solar power costs in Saudi Arabia have witnessed a slump over the past five years due to less module prices, lower balance of system costs, and increased competition at the development and EPC level.

Currently, solar power is cheaper than other energy sources in the country and financing costs have also declined due to the low-risk profile of solar assets.

KACARE has recently announced plans to generate limited electric power from an old waste dump, located in Jeddah.